Thailand’s ex-PM Thaksin weak but ‘happy to be home’ after detention release

The 74-year-old billionaire, whose family’s party has regained power, was released on parole on February 18 after six months in detention, his first day of freedom in his homeland 15 years after he fled a military coup that had deposed him.

“There wasn’t much talking. He’s still weak, but his arm can move a bit,” Srettha told reporters, adding that Thaksin, who left hospital with his arm in a sling, was in a good mood and smiling. “He’s happy to be home.”

Thaksin has been at the heart of a two-decade power struggle between his family and its coterie of capitalist upstarts, and a nexus of royalists, generals and old-money families that have long wielded influence over Thai governments and institutions.

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‘Truly ill’: Thailand’s former PM Thaksin returns home on parole after serving 6 months in hospital

Speaking after visiting Thaksin at the billionaire’s Bangkok residence, Srettha said he did not talk about how the influential ex-premier would help the country. Thaksin encouraged him in his work, but they did not discuss politics, Srettha said.

“I didn’t talk about how he would help the country. But he is concerned about the country … as there are a lot of economic problems,” the prime minister said.

He and the government, led by the Shinawatra family-backed Pheu Thai Party, have dismissed such speculation.